...if by a "Liberal" they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people -- their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, and their civil liberties -- someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies abroad, if that is what they mean by a "Liberal," then I'm proud to say I'm a "Liberal." JFK

Friday, March 10, 2006

See more pictures here. Could a wooden boat the size of an aircraft carrier float?

Did the ark ground on Mount Ararat?

No. Mount Ararat was not involved in the original flood legend. The ark grounded in an estuary at the mouth of the Euphrates River. The mountains of Ararat got involved in the story because Noah's son Shem traveled on foot to the mountains of Ararat after the barge grounded. Story tellers confused the mountain that Noah's son visited with the hill on which Noah offered a sacrifice. The ark never came close to a mountain. According to Flood-myths.

N is the number of civilizations in our galaxy with which we might expect to be able to communicate and

R* is the rate of star formation in our galaxy fp is the fraction of those stars which have planets ne is average number of planets which can potentially support life per star that has planets fl is the fraction of the above which actually go on to develop life fi is the fraction of the above which actually go on to develop intelligent life fc is the fraction of the above which are willing and able to communicate L is the expected lifetime of such a civilization (from Wikopedia; while you are there also look up the 'Fermi Paradox')

Intelligent life is possible in our universe. We are, arguably, proof of that. Since there are millions, maybe billions of planets just in our galaxy, one can argue that there is nothing special about Earth. So the probability of life on other planets is high. On the other hand there are arguments that Earth is a special place. What are the odds of a planet being placed in a galaxy and 'solar' system at exactly the right place for life to form. Then of course there are always the religious arguments, but we need not go there at this time.

The Drake equation is a means of estimating the frequency of occurrence of interstellar civilizations. Carl Sagan estimated that intelligent life should be fairly common.

So where is everybody? Those Hubble photo's are beautiful but they sure made me feel alone.

Twenty-eight year old, Douglas L. Hoelscher is the new executive director of the Homeland Security Advisory Committees. He will be the 'primary representative' of Secretary Michael Chertoff in dealing with many other advisory boards. Hoelscher evidently has good contacts with Ken Mehlman, Chair of the RNC. Hoelscher was also involved with the disasterous response to hurricane Katrina. Read more here.

Thursday, March 09, 2006

It's hard to believe that someone would start 'trolling' a blog like Adirondack Musing, but it has happened. So a no trolling policy has been instituted. You want to disagree with my point of view on a topic and explain your point of view, that is just fine, no problem, knock yourself out. You can even explain to me why Rep. John Sweeney and Pres. G.W. bush are great men who will go down in history. But troll comments will be deleted.

Probably one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen or heard on the internet. Watch this and you will realize that the Hubble telescope was probably one of the greatest ideas ever. If you have speakers make sure they are turned on!

The Republican controlled Senate Intelligence Committee voted against investigating the warrantless NSA domestic spying program. Of course the committee chairperson, Sen. Pat Roberts, would just as soon do away with the Supreme court and the Congress. Just leave GW Bush as President for Life. After all, things have worked out nicely so far, haven't they?

What has President G.W. Bush done that might merit impeachment? Justifying going to war based on, oh what to hell, lies? Sending too few troops with insufficient body armor resulting in needless deaths of soldiers? Poor to no planning for post-war Iraq? Not listening to 'naysayers'? Spying on your own citizens without a warrant? Locking up people without recourse to an attorney? Not going after Bin Laden in Tora Bora? Giving control of our ports to a foreign country? Torture? Complete incompetence in running the country? The Medicare Drug 'benefit'? The lack of a response to hurricane Katrina? The appointment of unqualified 'cronies' to important offices? Spending out of control? Ignoring North Korea? Saying that laws passed by Congress may not apply to him? Maybe none of these, at least as long as Republicans have control of the Congress. Doesn't ANYONE want to give GW a bj?

Read Harold Meyerson's (WP) excellent comments on impeachment here. I especially liked the fact that his 92 year old mother had 'impeach bush' on her grocery list.

From a charming Adirondack town made famous a century ago for its healing powers, to the desert hideaway that holds countless treasures of modern architectural design, and the Midwest city known for its world-class museums and brewery heritage, America offers alternative vacation destinations that symbolize an increasing dedication to historic preservation. In recognition of this travel trend, The National Trust for Historic Preservation, the country's largest private, nonprofit preservation organization, today announced the selection of its 2006 Dozen Distinctive Destinations, an annual list of unique and lovingly preserved communities in the United States.

I wonder how much longer Saranac Lake will be able to remain 'distinctive'?

Acceptible websites:Bill O'Reilly (Probably the biggest coward and blowhard in the entire world)Rush Limbaugh (Drug user and coward)G. Gordon Liddy (He's entertaining enough but a complete nut job. At least he did his hard time)ABC News "The Note"(I refuse to link to the above web sites)

Monday, March 06, 2006

As of July 1, 2006, any doctor who performs an abortion, unless to save the life of the mother, will face up to 5 years in prison. Abortion in cases of rape and/or incest are not grounds for an abortion. This law is designed to raise a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade. I don't see how it could be upheld. They could have written a less restrictive law and may even have had a chance of it being upheld. But, they want the whole tortilla.

The two marines have every right to attend a partisan political rally or meeting. But NOT while in uniform. The two marines may not be familiar with the regulations, but Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R-CO) should know them. She is putting the careers of these two marines in jeopardy.